Alan Partridge loves Gatwick

Steve Coogan's comedy alter-ego Alan Partridge has turned his hand to travel writing in a new book in which he describes Gatwick airport as '˜the London airport it's OK to like.'
Do you think 'kerosene-stuffed aeroplanes' fly 'overhead like aluminium eagles'? Partridge says he doesDo you think 'kerosene-stuffed aeroplanes' fly 'overhead like aluminium eagles'? Partridge says he does
Do you think 'kerosene-stuffed aeroplanes' fly 'overhead like aluminium eagles'? Partridge says he does

In the book, Nomad, he writes:

“I love Gatwick Airport. Its elegant perimeter road, its state-of-the-art monorail system, its kerosene-stuffed aeroplanes soaring overhead like aluminium eagles. It’s the London airport it’s OK to like.

Stansted, or Stanstead, or Standstead or Standsted as it’s variously known, is an arrogant upstart. City Airport? Full of bankers. London Luton isn’t in London and is barely in Luton; and Heathrow is just an absolute tit of an airport. No, Gatwick is the place to be.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I take a moment to look at the transport hub that surrounds me. I don’t just drink in its beauty, I actually feel like I eat it too. But what’s this? Ah yes, the tell-tale thunder-roar of a plane taking off. At first I struggle to hear myself think, but it’s OK, I just turn up the volume in my mind. And then, almost instinctively, I find myself standing bolt upright, saluting the winged beast above me and yelling up to it at the top of my voice, ‘Good luck, large friend. Take wing and fly. For the skies are yours now and you are free, free to soar and swoop, to glide and gambol across the very face of heaven, until you touch down, weary yet elegant in a land far, far away.’”

Do you agree with Alan? Let us know in the comments.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.